Weddings/Engagements

Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Walton of Pocahontas announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth Paige Walton, to Kevin Michael Barnett.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Byron and Frances Futrell of Pocahontas and Joyce Walton of Walnut Ridge and the late Joe Walton.

She is a 2007 graduate of Pocahontas High School. Paige graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Harding University in 2011. She is employed as the high school art teacher at Harding Academy in Searcy.

The prospective groom is the great-grandson of the late Kenneth and Imogene Bottoms of Pocahontas.

He is a 2009 graduate of Pocahontas High School and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry/Pre-Medicine and will graduate in May 2013.

Kevin will be employed as a research assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harding University this summer.

The couple will exchange vows on June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Pyburn St. Church of Christ in Pocahontas.

Following the ceremony a reception will be held in the historic Old Randolph County Courthouse. All family and friends are invited to attend the wedding and reception.

Danny and Cara West of Walnut Ridge have announced the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Maddison Danielle West, to Zachary Tyler Wilkerson, son of Ted and Tammy Wilkerson of Paragould.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dan and Anna West of Hoxie and Eula Hurd of Paragould and the late Maurice Hurd.

She is a 2009 graduate of Crowley's Ridge Academy in Paragould and will graduate from Harding University in December of 2012.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Katheryn Napier of Kennett, Mo., and the late Warren Napier, and Dorthy Wilkerson of Darring, Mo., and the late David H. Wilkerson.

He is a 2007 graduate of Crowley's Ridge Academy and a 2011 graduate of Harding University. He is employed with the pharmacy department at Harding University and will attend pharmacy school in the fall of 2013.

The couple will exchange vows during a semi-formal ceremony on June 2, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the West family home, located at 607 Southeast Front Street in Walnut Ridge.

Valley View Church of Christ Youth Minister Cabot Huffstutter, cousin of the bride, will perform the double-ring ceremony. All family and friends are invited to attend.

Obituaries

Born April 12, 1921, in Evening Shade, she was the daughter of James C. and Cora Smith. She lived in Poughkeepsie for many years, where she was active in the Eastern Star and the Church of Christ.

She and her husband moved to West Memphis, where she was active in the West Memphis Church of Christ youth programs and women's groups. She and her husband retired to their farm in Strawberry, where she lived until his death and she moved to Texas to be close to her daughters.

She was a dedicated member of the Strawberry Church of Christ and a 50-year member of the Poughkeepsie chapter of the Eastern Star and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Jewel James "Jimmy" Crafton, on Dec. 6, 1988; and two sisters, Hazel Jackson and Martha Lewis.

Survivors include two daughters, Olivia Zinn and husband Jim, and Sharon Hinds and husband Greg, all of Pinewood-Sour Lake, Texas; a grandson, David LaFevers; and a great-grandson.

Funeral was Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Strawberry Church of Christ with Gary Buxton officiating. Burial was in Ward Cemetery under the direction of Quall's Funeral Home of Cave City.

Memorials may be made to Children's Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450 or online at www.childrenshome.org.

Funeral was Thursday at 2 p.m. at the New Life Family Church in Knobel with pastor Gary Halcomb officiating. Burial was in Pirtle Cemetery at Peach Orchard under the direction of Ermert Funeral Home of Corning.

Wendell James Davis, 46, of Paragould, formerly of Black Rock, died May 1, 2012, at St. Bernards in Jonesboro.

Born Nov. 6, 1965, he had lived most of his life in Lawrence County. He was a truck driver for CB Trucking in Paragould and a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Paragould.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gina Davis; his father, Harold Davis; and his stepfather, Royce Riley Sr.

Survivors include his mother, Glenda Riley, Jonesboro; his fiancˇe, Wanda Lee Partee Davis, of the home; two daughters, Nikki Davis and Amber Blalock, both of Jonesboro; a stepdaughter, Morgan Davis, of the home; three stepsons, Macoe Davis, of the home, and Zach Williams and Terri Williams, both of Missouri; two brothers, Royce Riley Jr., Black Rock, and Kenny Riley, Walnut Ridge; three sisters, Rhonda Hibbard, Jonesboro, Terri Monfort, Walnut Ridge, and Shawna Riley, California; and three grandchildren.

Graveside service was Sunday at 2 p.m. at Balch-Johnson Cemetery, near Amagon, with Bro. Stacey Prater officiating. House-Gregg Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.

Edward L. Downing died in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 15, 2012, with his children and their mother, June Danaher, at his side.

Edward was born in Memphis on Oct. 25, 1937, and was raised in Lawrence County. He was a career U.S. Navy veteran, serving in Vietnam, and retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Patty Downing of Walnut Ridge.

He is survived by his children, Carolyn Hayes, Edward L. Downing Jr., and Mark Downing of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sisters, Helen Oellerich of Memphis, Katherine Gallina of Sacremento, Calif., and Elizabeth McCormack of Loomis, Calif.; and a brother, Barry Downing of Citrus Heights, Calif.; and several grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on May 4 at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla.

Funeral was Monday at 2 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church in Cave City with Bro. Bobby Sanders officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, near Cave City, under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home.

Harold Hirsch, 97, of Harrison, formerly of Cherokee Village, died Friday, May 4, 2012, in Harrison.

Born Sunday, Nov. 8, 1914, in Hudson, Kan., he was the son of Henry and Henrietta "Lotz" Hirsch. He was a real estate salesman and cattle farmer in the Sharp County area. He also worked with Cooper Land Company. Harold was the longest standing member of the Arkansas Soil Conservation and the first of two inducted into the Conservation Hall of Fame in Hot Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Eunice; his second wife, Tina; seven brothers and three sisters.

Born March 18, 1923, at Imboden, he was the son of Erastus and Gertie Young Milgrim. He was a retired farmer and factory worker and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving as a corporal in the Air Corps.